By Clyde Hughes
D3sports.com
Franklin came into the season fresh off a quarterfinals finish in last season's playoffs, a No. 19 preseason ranking and a ton of unanswered questions.
After the Grizzlies' 38-31 road victory over Baldwin-Wallace, some of those questions seem to be answered. The victory over a team picked to finish third in the tough Ohio Athletic Conference allows Franklin to escape from last year's shadow and forge its own history.
"We had so many unknowns going into this season because you never now how young guys will respond being starters," Franklin coach Mike Leonard said. "We came away pleasantly surprised by how well we played. Deep down inside, I think our players did as well. Outwardly, they talked about getting better every year. I thought we played pretty darn well for our first game."
Leonard said he was particularly pleased with play of junior Kyle Ray at quarterback. Ray and fellow junior Nick Purichia have been fighting all preseason to see who would replace record-setting Franklin quarterback Chad Rupp. Ray completed 25 of 34 passes for 204 yards and three touchdowns while rushing eight times for 36 yards with one interception.
Ray's back story was even more interesting as the son of former Franklin All-American wide receiver Rob Ray. The elder Ray died of cancer in June and the younger Ray, from Trafalgar, Ind., took the field for the first time without his father. He was named Franklin's Most Valuable Player of the game with family on hand and received the game ball.
"That was one of the best feelings I ever had," Ray said about the recognition from the visiting crowd and being able to share the moment with his family. "It was bittersweet. My dad loved Franklin and going to the games. I remember him taking me to games when I was boy. To get the game ball was really special."
Ray said his team came into the game with the motto of believing in each other. He said that confidence carried over into the game and he and his teammates expected to win.
"I think other people were surprised but we weren't surprised by the way we played," Ray said. "I think everybody thought we had a good team. We kept saying believe and believe we can do it. I think first and foremost, we want to get back to the playoffs and we want to win every game. We can't overlook anybody. We just have to come out prepared every week."
Leonard said Ray and Purichia would continue to split time at quarterback through the start of Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play. He said the Grizzlies have also made great strides with the defense, particularly the defensive line and secondary. Leonard said while there is plenty of room for improvement -- and they will need to improve as the season progresses -- the units are off to a good start.
Senior linebackers Joe Rush and Teddy Henkle, and junior linebacker Michael Spillmann, who each made eight tackles on the day, led Franklin.
Next up though, will be Butler and then Trine, the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association defending champions that surprised Franklin last year.
"I think our players have goals they are trying to accomplish," Leonard said. "I don't think there will be a problem keeping these guys motivated. I think that will be the least of my concerns this season. Butler is a solid program and have gotten better and better each year. They will have great incentive this year but so will we."
Stretching the field
No. 5 Wheaton, which moved up one spot in the rankings without playing, will open its season on the road at Bethel, a 52-10 victory over Concordia (Wis.) last week. For all of you with long memories, it was Wheaton who knocked off a then nationally ranked Bethel team last year to catapult its own successful season in 2008.
Wheaton's College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin rival North Central return home for a game against cross Chicago-suburb rival Benedictine. North Central dropped to No. 15 in the rankings after an opening season road loss to Ohio Northern this past Saturday.
The Midwest Conference could be shaping up to be very interesting. No. 14 Monmouth, coming off of a victory over Loras hits the road for a conference opener against Lawrence. St. Norbert, which registered a double-overtime upset over then-No. 17 Wartburg last Saturday opens MWC play at Grinnell.